Garam Masala is another one of those indispensable items in my kitchen. My hands reach out for it almost for every meal. The use of myriad spices is synonymous to Indian kitchen and that being said, Garam Masala can only have its rightful place in every Indian kitchen. It is so simple to make for which most of the spices are likely to be lying down in your pantry right now. Once ground, the aroma thats wafts in your kitchen is something you have to realise for yourself. It just enthralls you with its smell. I know manny, dry roast the spices and then grind it, but I find that the smell does not last very long that way.So I normally grind it without this process.
Again, just like in every Indian household, the variations are mind boggling and this is no different either. The simple idea would be to take few basic ingredients and then try out variation around the same to suit your tastes and preferance.This is one variation which I have come to like.
- Ingrediants
- 1/2 tsp Black whole pepper
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 3-4 green/brown whole cardamom
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 2 dry bay leaves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp ground mace ( if not available use nutmeg instead)
- 2 dried red chillis
- 1/2 tsp dry ginger
- 1/2 tsp caraway seeds ( shahjeera)
Method
1.Using a coffee grinder works best. It does not matter if you dont have one either.Take the ingredients and then grind them well.
2.Dont worry of they dont look too powdery and with husks.
3.Now with a sifter, sift the masala into a dry bowl. At this point, you can grind them remaining ones again. Few husks from cardamom will be sifted. Remove and throw them away.Store the masala in an air tight container. Make them in smalla quantities to retain the freshness and aroma. It lends a special taste to your food.
I am going to knock around my fellow marathoner's kitchen. Want to join me?
1) Siri
2) Srivalli
3) Ranji
4)PJ
5)Curry Leaf
6)Medha
7)Priya
8)Bhawna
9)Raaji
10)Ruchii
11)Anu
12)Kamala
13)Roopa
14)Divya Kudua
15)Rekha
16)Divya M
17)Lakshmi
18)Raaga
19)Lakshmi Venkatesh
20)Sripriya
21)Viji
